What qualifications or experience do you have that uniquely qualifies you to lead Liberty Lake?

Two terms on the Earlham College Budget Committee, managing a budget of $50 million and an endowment of $400 million; supervisory experience in mental health settings; service on several boards in Richmond, IN; work with the Salary Commission; work with the Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library (currently the President).

Qualifications Quick List:

Master of Social Work, Indiana University

Bachelor of Social Work, Indiana University

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Indiana

FCC General Telecommunications License

Chancellor's Scholar, Indiana University-Purdue University

Outstanding BSW Student, Indiana University East

What is your "day job" and how will that affect or influence your ability to serve the community?

My "day job" is teaching one online course for the Indiana University MSW Direct program. I've taught in this program for over 5 years, almost since its inception. I teach from home or anywhere with internet access, so it won't interfere or influence my work for the city. Two of my five grandsons live here and that is my other "day job." They're two big reasons I want to be more involved in the community and serve on City Council.

Why do you want to serve Liberty Lake?

I’m excited to run for Liberty Lake City Council! I have budget experience thanks to years on the Earlham College Budget Committee, managing a budget of $50 million and an endowment of over $400 million. As a clinical social worker, I know how to listen, brainstorm, solve problems and evaluate those solutions. I’d like to see diversity in our tax base by encouraging new businesses while supporting existing businesses. I want to continue the work to improve our infrastructure. I’ll work for the people of Liberty Lake to make the best use of their hard earned tax dollars. We can have a wonderful community and keep it affordable for all if we're diligent.
As stated in my "day job" experience, I have grandchildren (and my daughter and son-in-law) who live here and I want the best community possible for them. I attend city council meetings regularly and speak with council members frequently. I love living here in Liberty Lake and I want the best for my family and the rest of the people who live and work in Liberty Lake.

What do you see as Liberty Lake's greatest challenge? How will you overcome it?

The lack of diversity in our tax base is a challenge, especially if the economy takes a turn for the worse and when we're at build-out with residential growth. We rely heavily on sales taxes from new construction and big ticket items like RVs. I'd like to see different businesses come in that are more recession proof. I do not advocate for an income tax.

What do you see as Liberty Lake's greatest strength? How will you build on that?

I believe the people of Liberty Lake are its greatest strength. Human capital cannot be replaced. I'd like to get more people involved in the city - attending council and commission meetings, volunteering with various groups like the Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library and Friends of Pavilion Park, supporting our small businesses and the Farmer's Market, for example. I'm encouraged by the number of people who have filed to run for City Council. It means that people care about what happens in our community. We get people involved through personal contact. Social work has a motto: Social workers change the world one person at a time.

How long have you been a resident of Liberty Lake?

Almost two years but I've visited here for the last 5.

In which Liberty Lake neighborhood do you live?

The Meadows, near the elementary schools

Anything else you would like share with the community?

I lived for 31 years in an Indiana community that had a partisan, poorly functioning city council that rarely listened to the residents. I saw council approve a $500,000 road to nowhere, funded by a local income tax, because of the outsized influence of a few wealthy citizens who wanted to build a new strip mall on the east side of town, while downtown businesses closed. The mall was never built and the developers walked away without penalty. I saw the old hospital sold to a New York hedge fund that stripped it of everything of value then abandoned the building without paying property taxes, all with council's approval. The city had to use local property and income tax money to tear the building down last year. I do not want to see things like this happen here. I believe our council is very responsive to the people and I want to be a part of that. Government works for the people, not vice versa. We must never forget that.